Connor Heyward
Connor Heyward (born January 22, 1999)[1] is an American football fullback and tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State.
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Pittsburgh Steelers | |
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Position: | Fullback/Tight end |
Personal information | |
Born: | Duluth, Georgia | January 22, 1999
Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Georgia) |
College: | Michigan State (2017–2021) |
NFL Draft: | 2022 / Round: 6 / Pick: 208 |
Career history | |
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Roster status: | Unsigned Draft Pick |
Early life and high school
Heyward grew up in Duluth, Georgia and attended Peachtree Ridge High School.[2]
College career
Heyward rushed for ten yards on three carries and caught four passes for 13 yards and one touchdown.[3] As a sophomore, he rushed 118 times for 529 yards and five touchdowns and had 32 catches for 249 yards.[4] After losing his starting position after the first game of his junior season to Elijah Collins Heyward later left the team and entered the NCAA transfer portal.[5] He later returned to the team and redshirted the year.[6] Heyward led the Spartans with 65 carries and had 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns with 18 receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns in the team's COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.[7] Prior to his redshirt senior season, Heyward moved from running back to H-back and tight end.[8] He caught 35 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns in his final season.[9]
Professional career
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Bench press | ||||
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5 ft 11+1⁄8 in (1.81 m) |
233 lb (106 kg) |
31+7⁄8 in (0.81 m) |
9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | 4.72 s | 1.64 s | 2.74 s | 32.5 in (0.83 m) | 18 reps | ||||
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[10][11] |
Heyward was selected in the sixth round with the 208th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[12]
Personal life
Heyward is the son of Pro Bowl NFL player Craig Heyward. His older brother, Cameron Heyward, is a defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers.[13]
References
- "Connor Heyward – Football". Michigan State University Athletics. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
- "Tech among options for Peachtree Ridge's Connor Heyward". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. October 14, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- "Michigan State football's Connor Heyward gets his shot at RB". Detroit Free Press. March 31, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- Wenzel, Matt (April 22, 2019). "Following most carries of his life, Connor Heyward plans on taking over as MSU's No. 1 RB". MLive.com. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- Pouncy, Colton (November 24, 2021). "How Connor Heyward lived up to his family name and rediscovered himself at Michigan State". The Athletic. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- "Michigan State football RB Connor Heyward has 'unfinished business'". Detroit Free Press. October 10, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- Wenzel, Matt (March 22, 2022). "Sticking with Michigan State pays off with NFL opportunity for Connor Heyward". MLive.com. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- "Michigan State football's Connor Heyward finds his home at TE". Detroit Free Press. September 10, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- "NFL combine notes: Michigan State's Jalen Nailor, Connor Heyward tout versatility". The Detroit News. March 2, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- "Connor Heyward Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- "2022 Draft Scout Connor Heyward, Michigan State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- Pryor, Brooke (April 30, 2022). "Pittsburgh Steelers take Connor Heyward in Round 6, giving team 4th set of brothers". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- "NFL bloodlines run through Michigan State's Connor Heyward". Lansing State Journal. July 20, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2022.